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freeland-faces-questions-from-senators-on-bill-to-provide-new-rent-relief-business-aid-says-detailed-information-will-be-released-in-the-fall-fiscal-update
CanadaNov 12, 2020

Freeland faces questions from senators on bill to provide new rent relief, business aid; says detailed information will be released in the fall fiscal update

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says detailed information on the latest proposed COVID-19 aid programs for hard-hit businesses will be released in the fall fiscal update. Testifying before the Senate's national finance committee, which is reviewing Bill C-9, Freeland would not commit to monthly reports on pandemic spending. Bill C-9 would extend the federal wage subsidy until next summer, cancel a previously planned decline in its value and expand a popular business loan program. It would also revamp a widely criticized commercial rent relief program.
liberal-government-announces-long-awaited-plans-to-help-people-living-in-hong-kong
CanadaNov 12, 2020

Liberal government announces long-awaited plans to help people living in Hong Kong

The Liberal government is creating a new measure for young people in Hong Kong: a work permit designed to speed up the process toward permanent residency in Canada. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino is announcing the long-awaited plans to help people living in Hong Kong, including some 300,000 Canadians, amid the Chinese clampdown on democracy. Mendicino says any Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in the territory can return to Canada at any time and Ottawa will expedite any documents they need. Hong Kong was supposed to operate under a ``one-country, two-systems'' framework
new-restrictions-take-effect-in-manitoba-amid-rising-covid-19-cases
CanadaNov 12, 2020

New restrictions take effect in Manitoba amid rising COVID-19 cases

The province with the largest per-capita caseload of active COVID-19 infections in the country is imposing new restrictions as of today. Manitoba is shutting down bars, museums and theatres, limiting restaurants to deliveries and curbside pickups and putting a cap on gatherings to five people. The province reported 5,676 active cases yesterday, and its deadliest day of the pandemic so far. Ontario recorded another record number of COVID-19 cases yesterday and Premier Doug Ford's government is set to unveil new modelling numbers later today. Health officials in BC will also unveil their latest
scaled-down-covid-19-ceremonies-across-canada-to-mark-remembrance-day
CanadaNov 11, 2020

Scaled-down COVID-19 ceremonies across Canada to mark Remembrance Day

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging everyone to show their support for veterans by wearing a poppy and watching Remembrance Day ceremonies online today.Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says the acts of reflection, remembrance, and respect don't just happen during parades or at cenotaphs. He says they are emotional acts we will uphold in a year when Canadians are adapting and persevering through challenging times.With COVID-19 cases surging in many provinces, the Royal Canadian Legion is severely scaling back ceremonies and telling people to stay home.
525-new-covid-19-cases-and-3-deaths-reported-in-b-c
BCNov 11, 2020

525 new COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths reported in B.C.

BC is reporting 525 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths. That brings the number of deaths linked to the pandemic to 284. The bulk of the new cases continue to be in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal heath regions. The province now has 5,133active cases of COVID-19, with 142 people in hospital, including 46 in intensive care.
provinces-and-territories-should-not-hesitate-to-ask-for-federal-help-to-fight-covid-19-pm-trudeau
CanadaNov 10, 2020

Provinces and territories should not hesitate to ask for federal help to fight COVID-19: PM Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says provinces and territories should not hesitate to ask for federal help to fight COVID-19. He says federal supports should make it easier to make decisions about what to shut down or open. Trudeau insists health measures should not be compromised because of economic fears. He says that's how we'd end up with a worse pandemic, more people sick and more businesses harmed. "Government will give 61-million dollars to help Indigenous communities in Manitoba" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is addressing the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Manitoba. Trudeau says th
two-thirds-of-canadians-would-support-a-covid-19-curfew-if-pandemic-severe-poll
BCNov 10, 2020

Two-thirds of Canadians would support a COVID-19 curfew if pandemic severe: Poll

More than two-thirds of Canadians say they would support a curfew if the COVID-19 pandemic became serious enough, according to a new poll.The survey by Léger and the Association for Canadian Studies found that 67 per cent of Canadians would back a temporary nighttime curfew,10 p.m. to 5 a.m., to curb viral spread in dire circumstances.However, respondents' enthusiasm varied by age, with young people less disposed to the notion.Fifty-five per cent of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they would support a curfew, while three-quarters of those aged 55 and over endorsed it, including 80 per cent of
b-c-reports-998-new-covid-19-cases-737-cases-in-fraser-health-region
BCNov 10, 2020

B.C. reports 998 new COVID-19 cases, 737 cases in Fraser Health region

British Columbia's top doctor has clarified a public health order requiring people living in two health regions to cut back on their social interactions in order to slow the rising COVID-19 case count. The details of Dr. Bonnie Henry's latest directive on Saturday are now posted online and explain that people in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions may only socialize with those in their ``core bubble.'' The provincial webpage notes a person's core bubble consists of others who live in the same home and may also include a partner, co-parent, relative or friend who lives in a differe
rents-wont-climb-in-b-c-until-at-least-july-2021-as-province-extends-freeze
BCNov 09, 2020

Rents won't climb in B.C. until at least July 2021 as province extends freeze

Effective immediately, the Province is extending the freeze on rent increases until July 10, 2021, under the powers of the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act. This is an interim measure to provide stability and advance notice for renters and landlords while a new cabinet is sworn in. Increases set to happen on Dec. 1, 2020, are cancelled, along with all pending increases through to July. "We know many renters are still facing income loss and even the slightest increase in rent could be extremely challenging. For that reason, we are extending the freeze on rent increases to

Just In

BCJul 15, 2026

Elderly woman distracted and robbed of gold necklace in Vancouver, police seek suspects

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly robbed of her gold necklace after being distracted by an unknown woman in Vancouver's East 11th Avenue and Victoria Drive area on Tuesday, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. while the senior was waiting for family members. An unidentified woman approached her and claimed she looked like her mother, whose birthday she said it was. The suspect then hugged the victim and, during the interaction, allegedly removed the woman's gold necklace and replaced it with a fake one. The victim reportedly discov
AlbertaJul 15, 2026

Alberta launches online bike lane complaint form ahead of planned legislation

The Alberta government has launched an online public feedback form inviting residents to report concerns about bike lanes as it prepares legislation expected this fall. According to the Alberta government, Albertans can use the online form to share concerns about bike lanes in their communities, including whether they believe a lane is underused, has reduced on-street parking, contributed to traffic congestion, affected local businesses, or delayed emergency response times. The province says the feedback will help inform future transportation policy decisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dre
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T